Supplies
- Rit All-Purpose Dye (We Used Neon Yellow)
- Dress (Must Contain Less Than 40% Polyester)
- 4 Gallon Plastic Container
- Measuring Cup
- Measuring Spoons
- Salt
- Liquid Dish Detergent
- Plastic Table Cover
- Plastic Gloves
- Rit Color Remover
- Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative
Time
Total: 1.5 Hours
Difficulty
Beginner
Instructions
Remove Color
- Since this dress was originally blue, we needed to remove it’s color first.
- Pre-wash dress in warm, soapy water.
- Fill a stainless steel pot with enough water for the dress to move freely. Cover pot and heat water on stove top to just below boiling (or 210 F°).
- When water begins to simmer, add Color Remover. Mix well.
- Keep temperature at a low simmer.
- Wet the dress and add it to the bath.
- Stir occasionally. Once the dress turns white or off-white, you can remove it from the bath.
- Rinse in warm water and then gradually cool water until rinse water begins to run clear.
- Wash in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.
- Item is now ready to be dyed.
Dyeing
- These directions are for the sink or bucket method of dyeing. You can also dye the dress in a washing machine.
- Fill a plastic container or stainless steel sink with enough water for the fabric to move freely. We recommend using three gallons of water for every pound of fabric. The water should ideally be 140ºF. If tap water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove and add to the dyebath.
- To enhance the color: (1) add one cup of salt when dyeing fabrics containing cotton, rayon, ramie or linen; (2) add one cup of vinegar when dyeing fabrics containing nylon, silk or wool.
- Add 1 teaspoon of dish detergent to help promote level dyeing.
- Pour 1/2 bottle of well-shaken liquid dye into dyebath and mix well.
- Test color by dipping a paper towel into the dyebath. If color is too light, add more dye. If color is too dark, add more water.
- Add dress to dyebath.
- Stir slowly and continuously. The first 10 minutes are the most critical. Stirring helps to ensure an even color with no splotches.
- The item can remain in dyebath from 10 minutes up to one hour. We left it in for 30 minutes.
- When desired color is achieved, remove from dyebath. Fabric will look darker when wet and will dry lighter.
- To enhance the color and reduce color bleeding, use Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before washing, following these instructions.
- Rinse in cool water until rinse water begins to run clear.
- Wash in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.
